Support for Study
Not everything in life is always plain sailing and if things do go wrong, it is important that you can get the support you need to ensure that your studies are as protected as possible.
The Support for Study Policy is designed to enable university staff to support you if you are struggling with your health and/or wellbeing.
When could your ability to study be brought into question?
Your capacity to study may be questioned if:
If you are called to a meeting under this policy, what representation can you take?
It is important that you feel comfortable in these meetings and as such the University make it clear that to assist with that you can bring support/representation to the meeting. That can include a friend, but it also can include a member of the Students’ Union Advice Team or University Support Services or even Disability Inclusion Services. As an SU Advice Team, we have attended many meetings of this nature and can help you through the process providing guidance and support where necessary. We would always recommend that you contact us if called to a meeting, so we can begin giving you that support.
What are the stages of this procedure?
The Support to Study Policy has 4 stages.
You can read this in more detail in the policy, including what happens at each stage, who will be present, and the possible outcomes. However, in brief, the stages are:
Stage 1: Initial Support Meeting
This stage will be used for meetings that revolve around low-level concerns, with the aim to seek resolution and support for you through a discussion and agreed actions to help you move forward successfully.
Stage 2: Support to Study Meeting
This level of meeting will be called for continuing/significant concerns or where you are unable, inconsistent, or unwilling to engage, discuss and action matters identified and agreed at Stage 1.
Normally after this meeting an action plan will be produced and time for a meeting to review how these actions have been going will be agreed upon.
Stage 3: Fitness to Study Meeting
A Fitness to Study Meeting will typically be utilised for critical, urgent, and persistent concerns following the end of any time-bound mandatory action plan agreed at Stage 2, and/or if you do not engage with the mandatory actions, and/or if more serious concerns emerge.
It can also be called if the action plan hasn’t had the desired outcome, and further support is needed or if concerns about your health/wellbeing have escalated or you have been subject to emergency measures.
You should be aware that Stage 3 is the only stage of the Support for Study process in which an outcome could be to interrupt or withdraw a student from programme.
Stage 4: Return to Study Meeting
If you choose to interrupt your studies or are interrupted and decide you are ready to return, the University will want to meet with you to see how things have been going during your interruption, what support you have in place, and whether you are well enough to return and successfully complete your studies.
Prior to a meeting under this stage, you will normally be asked to complete a short questionnaire which asks for some details about your health, what support you may need upon your return. You will also likely be asked for evidence from a professional who has been supporting you and potentially a short reflective statement.
Regardless of what stage you are called to, SU Advice can support you. We can help through each stage, discuss things in more detail, comment on any reflective statements you may need to produce, and look at different forms of support you could tap into to help demonstrate your understanding/reflection on your health/wellbeing. We can also attend these meetings alongside you, as mentioned above.
If you have been invited to attend any meeting as part of this process, then we would strongly encourage you to get in contact and allow us to offer you that support.
Updated: October 2024